Romans 8:26
“In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.”
Where this sits
In the middle of a chapter about creation groaning and believers waiting for adoption. This is the third groaning in the passage.
Reflection
The admission in the middle of this verse is unusual for a religious text. We don't know how to pray as we ought.
Paul does not say some of us struggle, or that beginners find it difficult. He includes himself in a flat statement of incompetence at the central practice of his own religion. That should be a relief to anyone who has assumed the difficulty was theirs alone.
And the help offered is not instruction. Paul does not follow this with a method. He says the Spirit himself makes intercession — someone else prays, on your behalf, from inside the same weakness.
Groanings which can't be uttered is the third groaning in the chapter. Creation groans, waiting to be set free. Believers groan, waiting for their bodies to be redeemed. And now the Spirit groans. Whatever is wrong with the world, Paul places God inside the reaction to it rather than above it.
The word for helps is worth knowing: it describes taking hold of something together with someone, from the other side of the load. Not lifting it for you, and not watching. Taking the far end.
Which means the prayers you cannot articulate are not failed prayers. According to this verse, they are the ones with the most competent representation.
- Theme:
- Prayer
- Book:
- Romans